DNR puts draft plans for ruffed grouse, waterfowl up for review
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on draft management plans it issued last week for ruffed grouse and waterfowl.
The plans outline goals, objectives and strategies to guide management for the game birds in the state from 202030.
The ruffed grouse management plan is the first ever produced by the DNR for the popular species.
"(Ruffed grouse) are a vital resource for Wisconsin's outdoor enthusiasts and economy and an important component of Wisconsin's outdoor heritage," said Mark Witecha, DNR upland wildlife ecologist, in a statement issued Tuesday as the agency posted the draft plan on its website.
Witecha said the plan is intended to guide both long-term and emerging needs in ruffed grouse management, to serve as an outreach tool for increasing knowledge and awareness about ruffed grouse, and to providing opportunities to engage stakeholders and grouse enthusiasts on grouse management issues.
Concern has grown in Wisconsin and elsewhere in North America over the status and trends of ruffed grouse populations.
The species is known to be susceptible to West Nile Virus, a relatively recent arrival in the Upper Midwest, and projections of less consistent snow depths due to a warming climate could mean lower over-winter survival for grouse.
Still, Wisconsin is home to one of the strongest populations of ruffed grouse in the Lower 48.
As they have for decades, wildlife managers also continue to advocate for forestry practices that promote young forest habitat, a key for ruffed grouse as well as many native non-game species.
The draft plan calls for a ruffed grouse hunting season to end the first Saturday in January, about 3 weeks shorter than currently on the books.
The public meetings to provide input on the ruffed grouse plan will be held Aug. 20 in Spooner, Aug. 21, in Black River Falls and Aug. 22 in Rhinelander. Each will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. in the DNR service centers in the respective cities.
Alternatively, comments may be emailed to Alaina.Gerrits@Wisconsin.gov. Include your name and the county in which you reside and/or hunt ruffed grouse. Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 26.
The waterfowl draft plan has an overall goal to continue to "contribute to the continental management of waterfowl populations by providing habitats and management for non-breeding and breeding species as well as providing quality waterfowl hunting opportunities throughout the state, recognizing Wisconsin's diversity of habitats, hunting techniques, hunting heritage and waterfowl species."
With more than 20 consecutive years of 60 day duck seasons with six duck daily bag limits combined with the maximum number of days of Canada goose hunting (107), hunters in Wisconsin have been generally satisfied with the waterfowl regulations.
But despite long seasons and apparent high waterfowl populations, 20 to 40% of Wisconsin's duck hunters have not had their expectations met during recent hunting experiences, according to the DNR.
In the plan, the agency sets an objective to provide "opportunities/locations for duck hunters to see more ducks and experience less hunter crowding."
The waterfowl public meetings will be held Aug. 13 at the DNR service center in Eau Claire, Aug. 14 at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve in Saumico and Aug. 15 at the DNR service center in Fitchburg. Each will start at 6 p.m.
Comments can be also be sent to Taylor Finger or Jeff Williams, Wisconsin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, via email to Taylor.Finger@wisconsin.gov or Jeffrey.williams@wisconsin.gov or by by calling (608) 261-6458. Comments will be accepted through midnight Aug. 16.
The final versions of the ruffed grouse and the waterfowl plans are expected to be submitted to the Natural Resources Board in 2020.